Apparatus for making edible products



Oct. 30, 1951 M. L. BALzARlNl 2,572,833

APPARATUS FOR MAKING EDIBLE PRODUCTS Filed July 50, 1945 2 SHEETS--SHEET l M. BALZAR'INI APPARATUS FOR MAKING EDIBLE PRODUCTS Oct. 30, 1951 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed July 50, 1945 Hlm! Patenteci ct. 30, 1951 OFFICE APPARATUS FOR MAKING EDIBLEI PRODUCTS Martin Louis Balzarini, ',Rkport, Mass.

,Application July 30, 1945, Serial No. 607,814

11 Claims. (Cl. 99-234) This invention relates 'to the art of preparing edibles of animal origin. More particularly it pertains to vthe production of meat products of a fatty nature, and embraces among its features, novelty of method and apparatus utilized in the obtention of a product innovation. While the invention is of broad application, a primary embodiment vthereof involves a uniform sheet of fatty material adaptable for enveloping meats, preparatory to a roasting treatment, as well as the process and means devised for its production. This application lis a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 350,324, led August 3, 1940, which has matured as Patent No. 2,386,775.

In modern market practice, the first step in the preparation of choice cuts of meat for roasting treatment involves removal therefrom of essentially all fat and gristle. The resulting trimmed meat is then enveloped either wholly or partially in a sheet Aor layer of fat intended to retain the meat juices and provide the essential roasting fluid. However, Various difficulties have been encountered in the preparation of a requisite sheet of fatty material, and the product heretofore attainable has not been entirely satisfactory.

It is known to produce strips of fat applicable to the wrapping of beef roasts by working pieces of fat through the conveyor screw housing of a meat grinding machine, from which the cutting element and end perforated disc have been removed, into a funnel kmeans adapted to cross the fat fibres; thence the mass is conducted to a shaping passageway. Such procedure and apparatus does not contemplate the production of a sheet of fatty material having a substantially enlarged width, as compared with the diameter of the conveyor screw housing. Moreover, the product manifests pervlousness in some measure to the meat fluids and, in view of its fibrous characteristics, will result in the presence of residual fat at the end of the roasting procedure.

To obviate such undesirable residual material after roasting, it has been found effective to disintegrate or disaggregate the fibrous structure of the fatty material utilized in producing the enveloping sheet, by resort to a meat grinder machine. The manual conversion of this ground material into a sheet form, in addition to embodying tedious manipulation, results in a product devoid of uniformity and objectionably pervious to meat fluids, such as blood; such criticisms are conceded in the prior art to ,be signincant details in affecting the utility ofthe ultimate product.

Attempts to utilize mechanical lmeans in the preparation of a layer of disaggregated fat by a coordination 'of cutting and shaping devices have proven ineffective, since they do not lend themselves to the obtention of a product vof desirable dimension. For example, where a shaping attachment, adapted to provide a fat sheet of enlajrged width substantially in excess of 'the diameter of a meat grinder, has been utilized in direct association with the outlet of said cutting or grinding device, there `has 'been a definite tend-A ency toward -the formation of Athree irregularly disconnected sheets. This undesirable result mayA be attributable to an inherent characteristic of' such an apparatus combination to exert the conveyor pressure essentially through straight lines, which results in a concentration of pressure at the central portion of the shaping -device outlet, corresponding with the outlet diameter 4of rthe meat grinder.

It is 'an object of my invention to obviate such difficulties and uncertainties as hereinabove referred to by a novel apparatus for producingan improved product, An important object is to obtain an apparatus adapted to `prepare' a uniform, coherent sheet 'off a disaggregated fatty material which is essen v tially impervious to meat fluids and the like.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for producing an enlarged sheet lof fatty material having the aforementioned attributes.

An additional object is the provision of a simple, sturdy attachment for a complete meat grinder device adapted to vdirectly produce a sheet of fatty material of substantially enlarged width compared with the diameter of the meat grinder outlet.

Other objects, advantages, and features of my invention will become apparent from the following description to be read in connection with the accompaning drawings, in which similar elements are designated by like numerals: i

Figure l presents a side elevational View partly in section including the combination of meat grinder, spreader and shaping attachment, and

supplementary appurtenances, such as a contact roller and means for handling the sheet Aof fatty material issuing from the said attachment.

'Figure 1a pertains to 'a detail sectional view of a desirable grinder combination.

Figure 2 is a perspective detail of the locking association between the component parts of thev spreader means, taken on line 2 2 of iigurel.v

Figure 2a `indicates in sectional elevation anvr alternative modification of the interlocking features between the separable parts of the spreader means.

Figure 3 shows a plan View along the lines 3-3 of Figure 1, indicating among other details the relative association between the shaping nozzle of the spreader and the roller adapted to contact the formed sheet of material as it issues from the nozzle outlet.

Figure 4 is a front end view of the spreader showing the nozzle and one design of shaping orifice, together with means for mounting the appurtenances on the nozzle.

Figure 5 is drawn to an alternative modification of the spreader-nozzle structure, as well as the association of attendant supplementary parts.

Figure 6 offers a perspective indication of a preferred deector means.

Figure 7 is a front detail showing of a modified nozzle orifice design. l

Referring more particularly to the details of structure shown in the various figures of the drawings, the means for disaggregating the fatty material may comprise a meat grinder device. Thus the housing of an ordinary meat cutter or grinder is indicated by I, with 2 designating the conveying means, such as conventional feedscrew conveyor, at the end of which is aflixed in normal fashion cutting element 3 and perforated extruding plate disc 4. The spreader and compacting means attachment broadly indicated by numeral 5 in effect comprises a conduit means and embraces among its component parts the conduit or conduit portion 6, spreader means which also functions as a compacting means 1, shaping nozzle 23 having extruding orice 8, and may include as an integral element thereof heating means 9, although the latter may conveniently comprise a separable heating unit.

To minimize undue strain on the grinding device, and particularly to obviate clogging, toward which there is a tendency in the grinding of fatty materials, such as animal fat, the equivalent of a plurality of grinders may desirably be utilized. The openings of the respective extruding plates or discs, should preferably be of successively diminishing diameter, that is, the openings of the first grinder extruding disc or plate should be greater than those of the second extruding disc or plate, and so forth. Fig. 1a indicates an expedient structure of this type adapted to function as the equivalent of two grinders in series.

Y Conduit I is in effect a secondary grinder housing adapted for attachment to housing I. Its enlarged end 8| is shown provided with internal threads I4 for coordination with external threads I4 of housing I. A conveyor means 2', similar to element 2, may be connected with the latter in any expedient manner, as through an extension shaft 83 which extends through opening 82 in perforated plate 4, and into the end of conveyor 2'. The end portion of extension shaft 83 of conveyor 2 may be of a square or rectangular cross section, to t into and interlock with opening 84, of corresponding design, in the end 85 of conveyor 2.

l The cutting element 3 and the extruding plate 4 are equivalents of similar elements in housing I. However, the openings of perforated plate 4 should desirably be larger, illustratively 1%", while the openings of plate 4' may be 1/8. Housing I' is desirably provided with external threads 85 at its end 81 to permit the connection of the portion 6 of spreader means attachment 5.

the spreader means attachment 5 is adapted for connection to either housing I, as shown in Fig. 1, or housing I, as indicated in Fig. la.. While the following description is, for

` purposes of illustration, primarily directed to the attachment as in Fig. l, it is to be understood that the preferred embodiment of procedure contemplates the utilization of apparatus for disaggregating the fatty material in at least two stages, as illustrated bythe apparatus combination of Fig. 1a.

It will be noted that one end of the cylin `drical conduit portion 6 is anged as shown at I0 to provide a uniform contact surface i I adapted to snugly fit against the peripheral portion of perforated extruding disc 4 as well as housing I. Thus by the expedient of an annular ring I2 seated on the flange III and internally threaded to coordinate with the external threads I4 of the end portion of the meat grinder housing, conduit 6 may be rigidly attached in operative association with the meat cutter or grinder outlet. .Armular ring I2 mayconveniently be integral with the inner portion of a hand-tightening wheel conventionally utilized for the end closureof a meat grinder device, and of which only the web means I2 is indicated. Desirably the internal diameter of conduit 6 should be at least equal to the diametric dimension of the perforated portion of the extruding plate disc 4; as shown in Figure 1, the conduit diameter'is somewhat larger to conveniently embrace the entire perforated area of disc 4.

Although attachment 5 can effectively be designed as a unitary structure embracing conduit portion 6 'and spreader means 1, it has been found expedient, especially in connection with the assembly of the apparatus, to constitute these component parts as separable units. By this arrangement, the end of conduit 6 opposed to ange I0 is conveniently passed through annular ring I2 until the flange contacts with seat I3 of the ring. This assembly is then afxed to the end of the. meat grinder housing, in accordance with the'foregoing description. 1

Asjshown in Figures l and 2, the peripheral portion of conduit 6 located toward the'end opposite flange I5, is cut to provide opposing bayonet slots I5. Portion Iof spreader means 1, which is shown designed withA its free end of a diameter somewhat less than that of conduit 6, is fitted with meansv to afford a suitable interlocking of the spreader 1 with the conduit 6. Pursuant to the drawings, I1 represents a short stud protruding from the surface of spreader portion I6, and I8 designates a surface threaded short bolt havl ing one end thereof retained contiguous to the inner surface of portionl by the expedient of an enlarged head or washer element I9, with a wing nut I9 positioned at the opposing end of the bolt. Stud I1 and short bolt I8 are relatively positioned in a manner to respectively engage the aforementioned bayonet slots I5 for an interlocking' association. By tightening up on the wing nut I9', conduit Ii and spreader 1 become rigidly aflixed to each other and constitute a unitary attachment, of which components 6 and 1 may be separated at will.

In accordance with the modification of Figure 2a, a bayonet slot I5 is formed on the peripheral surface at the free end of portion I6 of the spreader means. The entire conduit 6, orat least the end portion thereof opposite flange I0', may be of a diameter slightly less than that near the free end 'of portion I6 in order to attain a snug overlapping association when' the first ynamed means is tted into the latter. Appropriatelv spaced apart fr om the bayonet slot l5 at a sub: stantially Opposing point on the periphery .of portion 6 there is provided an opening 55, de: sirably, .although not necessarily, internally threaded through which surface threaded wing bolt 55 may be screwed into an vappropriately positioned internally threaded boss `51, or equivalent means, on the internal periphery of conduit 6. A stud I1 protrudes from the outer .surface .of conduit 6 for` coordinated association with slot 'l5 when conduit 6 is fitted into portion I6 in amanner to align boss 51 with opening 5 5. Upon threading wing b olt 56 into 55, 51 to interlock conduit 5 with the spreader means, a `desirable integral attachment is attained similar to that shown in Figure 2.

A preferred embodiment of spreader element comprises the aforementioned cylindrical portion l5 adapted for a coordinated fit with conduit 6, and part 23, which in vertical elevation manifests an inward 'tapering toward nozzle 23 and in horizontal elevation flares outwardlyy as shown in Figure 3, toward nozzle 23, whereby the material treated is spread to the desired width and thickness. Differently stated, the inward taper ofthe vertical plane of the spreader element determines the thickness of sheet, whereas the out- Wardv are or taper controls the width of the sheet formed.

Angularly shaped deflectors 2l have been found effective in regulating the iiow of material through the spreader portion 20 outwardly to the desired width; as shown in Figure 6, the defiector may expediently be designed to have rounded edges 22 which `vtend to obviate any impediment to the normal iiow of material.

' Where the material utilizedin the fabrication of the spreader is sufficiently sturdy to withstand the reasonable pressures developed in the nozzle, a" prolongation of portion` 2|] of the spreader means may appropriately function as nozzle 23V in accordance with the showing of Figure 5. I t will be apparent that the opposing sides determining the nozzle are generally in parallel planes, although a slight convergence of the horizontal walls has been found conducive to the fat sheet formation.

A particularly effective nozzle embodiment is,

that designated as 23 in Figures 1,23 and 4. This modification is fabricated independently of the spreader and desirably of material which is espe-4 cially sturdy in character, and capable of withstanding any pressures developed within the nozzle as well as supporting substantial loads that may be attached thereto. Desirably, the oppose. inghorizontal walls of nozzle 23 manifest a slightA convergence, as in the case of nozzle 8.l By rcsorting to a slight curvature 24 approaching the orifice edge, applicable to either I notlificationv ofy nozzle shown, the important coordinated function of roller 45 relative to the nozzle orifice is substantially facilitated. As apparent from Figures 3 and 4, the structure of nozzle 23 may be designed to extend laterally substantially beyond the edgesl of the orifice per Se to thereby Provide end portions 58 for attachment and support of the appurtenances involved in the processing of fat sheet, as will be further described herein. below. -Shaping nozzle, 23 should preferably be affixedA to spreader 1 in a permanent manner l lustrated by welding or riveting.

'The Shape 0f nozzle, Orifice may be in accord.,- a'n'ce. with any predetermined design toprovirgle any predetermined form or shape. While in Figure 4 it is yshown as substantially rectangulai. various other shapes may be resorted to, dependent upon the desired .form characteristics of the contemplated sheet of fatty material. vWhere the orice design is such as to vtaper at the ends, as shown in Figure 7, the resultant fat sheet will issue with thin edges susceptible for uniform overlapping when utilized as an enveloping or wrapping means for meat or the like. clear that the dimensions of the orifice will ultimately determine the significant width and thickness of the sheet product obtained.

lWithin the housi-'ng of heating unit 9, shown in Figure 1, are electric heating coils 26 that connect with terminals 21 to which are attached lead wires 28 having at their end a conventional plug 29. The numeral 30 designates a heat rinsulating cover for the -coil housing and may also desirably manifest electrical insulation properties. Over coils 25 there is positioned material 3| having electrical non-conducting characteristics and preferably also function in the dual ca.- pacity of heat insulator; illustrative of this inaterial is asbestos sheeting or ller. Beneath coils 26 and preferably surrounding them are located thin sheets of electrical insulation 32 exemplified by 4strips of mica, which may also be utilized to isolate the coils from the side walls of the heating unit 9.

While the heating unit positioned as show-n has proven quite effective and desirable, variations relative thereto will be vclear to one versed in the art; for example, operative results may be attained by associating the heating unit vwith portion 6 or even the spreader 1. Moreover, the heating unit may be located internally of the spreader element' instead of on its outer periphery. As an alternative for an electrical heating means, hot water or the like may be conducted through appropriately positioned tubes either circumventing the spreader or internally thereof, preferably contiguous to the wall surface.

Relative to the appurtenances shown in Figures l, 3 and 4, they may as previously indicated, be expediently mounted on the shaping nozzle. By way ofillustration, and not of limitation, supporting brackets 38 and 39 are aiiixed to the upper and lower surfaces 63 and 64 respectively, of nozzle 2-3, at the end portions thereof which extend beyond the nozzle orifice per se. This is attained by the insertion of surface threaded slotted bolts 35 through openings in the angular or flanged ends 34 and 315 of said brackets as well as through corresponding openings through the ends 58 of the nozzle, and tightening up on nuts. 31. The said supporting brackets are provided with openings or slots 4 2 for paper supplying shafts. Roll 40 desirably represents transparent cellulose paper Such as cellophane, while 4l designates a roll of' wax paper.

Pressure roller 45 is rotatably supported on arms 46 which at one extremity 41 are pivotally afxedto supporting brackets 38, by slotted pivotk bolt means 48 retained in situ by nuts 54. TheA opposing ends of arms 45 may have angular portions 65 and are attached to tension springs 5D through openings 49; the opposite extremity of" said spring, which is shaped in hook form 5|', engages eyelet 52 positioned on thel side surfaces of meat board 53. As shown in Figure l, the means for applying a surface pressure to the material issuing from the extrudine orificevcomprisespressure roller 45 actually rests on the nQzZle. Z3 at Substantially the. upper edge of the. orifice; it is positioned to somewhat obstruct the It Will be passage of the fat sheet from the orifice, in the sense that as the sheet emerges from the orifice its upper portion contacts the roller which subjects its weight to the sheet under the influence of springs 50. By this structural arrangement the possibility of any buckling or wrinkling of the fat sheet is obviated. Desirably, roller 45 manifests its effect through cellophane 60 which it simultaneously applies.

It will be apparent from the drawings that the meat board is essentially positioned at an incline relative to the outlet of the shaping nozzle with its upper end disposed in close proximity to, but

slightly lower than the nozzle orifice. The dispo.

sition of said meat board is such as to facilitate the passage of the sheet of fatty material emerging from the spreader and shaping attachment, and its surface width will necessarily be somewhat greater than the orifice width to enable the issuing product to slide thereover without obstruction. The receiving surface of meat board 53 may be highly polished and/or waxed or smoothly enameled to decrease the coefficient of friction, and is conveniently supplied with guide flanges 54.

The particular manner of supporting the meat board, as well as other appurtenances, is determined largely by circumstances and expediency. In the event that the spreader-nozzle attachment is sufficiently rugged to withstand the load, brackets 38 and 39 together with the paper rolls and supplementary elements including the pressure roller may be supported by the arrangement shown in Figures l, 3 and 4, hereinabove described. The inclined plane surface comprising meat board 53 can be sustained by brackets 66, keyed by means 6l through coordinated openings in brackets 66 and 39, the angular portion of brackets 66 being afxed to the under surface of said meat board at the upper end thereof. The lower end of the meat board is shown in Figure l to be resting on a table support l0, which may be the base upon which the meat grinding machine is bolted. Should the weight of paper rolls,

meat board and other mentioned supplementary elements be excessive, the load may be sustained by any expedient external means. By way of suggestion only, the dotted indication 'II provides for the utilization of bracket supports 39 of a sufficient length to contact said table support 16.

While the modification of Figure l discloses the upper end of the inclined plane or meat board 53 rounded or beveled to effectively serve as a contact guide for wax paper 6I passing thereover, Figure discloses the use of guide roller 43, similarly mounted on supporting brackets 39 through appropriate slots or openings for seating its shaft 44; guide roller 43 will facilitate the supply of paper from roll 4I and is especially desirable where this paper load is quite substantial. As shown in Figure 5, supporting brackets 38 and 39 may be aixed to the extremities of nozzle 23', which in this modification comprises a prolongation of spreader portion 26; however, similar to the suggestion above in connection with the nozzle of Figures 1, 3 and 4, supplementary or even independent supporting means may be resorted to in accordance with the dictates of expediency.

It will be noted that pressure roller 45 is mounted in the modification of Figure 5 proximate to curved portion 24' of nozzle 23 and partially obstructs the nozzle orifice 8 to the extent that an emerging fat sheet will necessarily contact the lower periphery of the roller; the' lower portion of the orifice is substantially free from obstruction. While this arrangement will yield satisfactory results in preventing buckling or wrinkling of the fat sheet issuing from the orilice, the modification shown in Figure 1 is deemed preferable.

The support of the upper end of meat board 53V similarly involves a variation in accordance with Figure 5. Metal plates 'I2 are attached to the sides of the meat board by screws or similar means 'I3 and are provided with openings for coinciding with the openings for shaft 44 in supporting brackets 39; thus, the journallingof shaft 44 in the said coinciding openings will serve to sustain the upper end of meat board 53. However, any other means, such as keying plates 'I2 independently of shaft 44, to supporting brackets 39, is susceptible of effective utilization.

It is obvious that the material of which the various parts are fabricated has no critical bearing on this invention and will doubtless be determined from expediency or preference, in view of the specific use to which the device is to be applied. Similarly the dimensional details of the apparatus are subject to wide variation dependent upon the particular circumstances and application; brieiiy stated, it will be necessary to predetermine the shaping nozzle orice characteristics in order to obtain a product sheet of desired width and thickness. ment of the spreader attachment, providing excellent results and emphasizing the facility and simplicity of the constructive design to which the invention lends itself, involves the following details. Conduit 6 is fabricated from a sturdy grade of galvanized sheet metal and has an internal diameter of approximately 2% inches, with flange I0 measuring slightly less than 1/2 inch, measured from the internal surface of the conduit. While the length of conduit 6 is approximately 5 inches, when interlocked with the spreader in accordance with Figure 2a, the linear dimension of conduit 6 up to the line of overlapping with portion I6 of spreader attachment 5 .is essentially 11/2 inches. Spreader 'I of attachment 5 is similarly formed from galvanized sheet metal and portion I6 thereof extending essentially to heating unit 9 is approximately 11/2 inches in length with an internal diameter of a little over 2% inches, exceeding that of conduit 6 by the gauge or thickness of the galvanizedl metal stock utilized. The linear expanse of portion I6 to which the electrical heating coils are applied is approximately 2% inches, so that the overall length of portion I6 is in the vicinity of 41/8 inches. It may be noted in this connection that the heating surface expanse is most simply defined by flanges or annular rings 25 soldered, brazed or welded to the surface of portion I6 and spaced apart a predetermined distanceas illustrated by the above indicated 2% inches.

The diverging dimension of spreader 'I from portion I6 to nozzle 23 is approximately 61/2 inches; differently stated, this constitutes thc `linear dimension taken in the horizontal plane as shown in Figure 3 between the shaping nozzle element and the heating yunit 9, which is superimposed on the surface of portion I6, according to the modification of Figures 1 and 3. Actually this horizontal plane diverging dimension is in excess of the figure specified in View of the fact that spreader 'I extends into the shaping nozzle for at least 1/2 inch. The union between spreader 'I and shaping nozzle 23 is rigidly effected by resortto brazing, welding or similar.l

A tangible embodi-v acre-,ssa

expedients, care being taken to provide side walls in the shaping: nozzle which are essentially in extension of the` horizontal planewalls of the spreader. This. built up. wall extension is indicated by dotted lines 14, Figure 3. The length of spreader 'l along the line of union with shaping nozzle 23 is approximately 7% inches.

In the illustrative. embodiment. being described, the shaping nozzle may conveniently be made from steel sheeting or analogous material having the dimensions of 11 inches long, 3. inches wide, and approximately M3 inch in thickness.. It. invulves: cutting out; the appropriate. nozzle orice, which in this example is: 91A; inchesr in length and approximately Ml inch. in thickness; the. orice is located along the longitudinal median line of the stock sheet and spaced from the. edges sub.- stantially centrally. In its ultimate form, the shaping nozzle isy bent on. its longitudinal median line so that the longitudinal edges of.' the. sheet everlle each other and are spaced apart approxi.- mately a; inch. While` thef nozzle is` essentially of V-shape, tapering toward the orice, the orice end is actually rounded, suggestive of a U.

It will be seen from this mode of structure that ends 581 of the nozzle are approximately 7A; inch in. length. Between the respective endsof the nozzlev and built up.A wall portions 14, a gap or spacey exists through which slotted surface threaded. boltsv may be positioned' for retaining supporting brackets 38, 39 in position. These. brackets may be. 21/2 inches in length, with an angular portion of` approximatelyV 1 inch, and the.I overall width of bracket essentially inch. Arms 46 of the pressure. roller arev conveniently dimensioned at 3 inches. in length with arr angular portion of approximately 11 inch, and a'width. of essentially 1/2 inch. Pressure roller 45 has functioned quite eiectively when of hard wood, approximately 2 inches in diameter, approximately 9% inches: in length, although including journal spacers: it iS essentially l1 inches between supports, and having a weight of substantially pound.

For this typev of mounting, the shafts of paper rolls eiectively utilized were substantially l. inch in diameter and between. 10% and. 10%. inches. A suitable width of the paperv comprisi-ng the respective paper rolls was` approximately 9% inches.` It will be obvious, however, that these dimensions are. susceptible to variation, as,`v are thev various other details hereinabove described.

An exemplary indication oi eiective design details relative tov the heating element isl as follows. Two! complete flat iron heating elements of Nichrome, gauge Wire, connected in seriesy re.- sulting in a resistance of approximately i0r ohms. Operating at. 110 volts' A. CJ., this heating unit is rated in the neighborhood of 350 Watts.

Relative to. the. positioning of the meat board 53, in the embodiment' specified, av vertical line distance of approximately 1%, inch between the bottom edge of the orice and the surface of the board has functioned quite satisfactorily;

By way of reiteration, and emphasis, the detailed description of an apparatus embodiment of the invention. has been presented merely by Way of illustration, and under no circumstances can itv be legitimately construed as in any sense limitative.

To facilitate the consideration o1"4 the broad aspects of the process and the operation of the preferred embodiment of apparatus disclosed, these two phases. of the invention will be. simultaneously discussed. The iatty material, illustratedv by cod orI beef fat, is supplied to the. meat grinder or cutter I wherein itis` conveyed by screw means' to the. cutter element 3 and through perforated extruding disc 4 from. which it issues in the well known form of' strands. In practical application, to. avoid undue strain on the grinder device, it is advisable rst to pass the fat through a meat grinder device, provided with an extruding disc having substantial sized' openings-for example, inch--and before, the. inventive. attachment disclosed herein is connected to. said grinder.. SubsequentlyI thereto, a di'sc having smaller perforations, exemplified by /f, inch, is substituted for the nrst used extruding disc., the spreader attachment is afxed to the end of the aforesaid meat grinder as previously described, and the. previously ground fat may theny be; passed through the apparatus combination without.- dim'.- culty. Alternatively the fat may be ypassed through two mea-t grinders arranged in series, the rst having the larger size disc. perforations and the second the predetermined smaller size; A desirable structure of this type is shown in Fig., 1c'. rIhe resultant disaggregated fatty material passes from the extrudingI disc into the spreader attachment 5, moving therethrough in contact with the surface heated by heating element 9, thence through the` spreader l and out through the' shaping nozzle B. Immediately upon emerging from the shaping nozzle, the sheet contacts pressure; roller 45 positioned in direct proximity with the nozzle orifice and ina manner toy par'- tially obstruct or substantially completely ob.- structthe horizontal; free passage of the material, applying a surface pressure to the said emerging sheet. The curvednozzle outlet shown in Figure 1.,. as previously indicated.. is. particularly effective facilitating the position. of the pressure roller relative-to the nozzleorice.

With respect to the apparatus combination for forming the. sheet of fatty materiah coordinated means may be utilized, contiguous the. extruding orifice for simultaneously suppl-ying a covering material to both surfaces. of the emerging sheet of fatty material, such coordinated means including appropriately mounted rolls of paper relative. to the said extruding orifice, as Well as to the inclined plane or meat, board 53. Desirably roller 45 contacts the emerging sheet of fat through a transparent cellulosic. material, exemplified by cellophane, thereby simultaneously applying, a paper sheet coverl to the upper surface. of the fatty material. Wax paper 6I unwound from its roll 4t, covers the surface of meat, board. 53;, as the fat sheetv passes ontovv the said meatv board, it is' accordingly furnished with a wax, paper undercover. Due to the inherent adhesive characteristics manifested by the fat sheetv resulting from the inventive process, the wax paper and cellopli-ane coheresuiiiciently'to. the. fat. sheet to freely unwind their'respectiverol-ls as the product moves along the meat board 53. If desired,y however, supplementary pressure rollsA may be applied to the.: paper covered product on', the meat board if any uncertainty in the unwinding of the paper rollsv is: encountered, although. this7 is deemed quite unnecessary under normal conditions. As the fat. sheetI slides` oi the meat. board, it is. out to any predetermined length by expedient, conventional means;- thus, by cutting at notch 'l5 when the# emerging end of the fatsheett reaches tl-ietable-endA of board 5.3, a predetermined length or sheet; isolata-ined; withfa-cility..

A, particularly signiiicant feature oi' the invention resides in: the application of heattn-A the fatty material passing through: the spreader at-v 11 tachment. It has been found' thatthe application-of sufficient heating to the disaggregated massl of fatty material to melt a minor proportion thereof, will result in substantially increasing the coherency of the mass and provide lubrication to facilitate the passage of the disaggregated fatty mass through the spreader and shaping nozzle. By this important expedient, the tendency of a sheet, having a width in excess of the diameter of meat grinder housing and Vextruding disc, to rupture irregularly into threedisconnected sheets is obviated. Diiferently stated, vthe melting, i. e., softening or plasticizing of a minor proportion of fatty material enables the production of a sheet manifesting desirable uniform characteristics not heretofore attainable. Moreover, and of material importance is the fact that the molten proportion serves to render the ultimate fat sheet essentially impervious to meat fluids and the like.

For the ecient performance of the process, it is clearly desirable to avoid excessive melting, or a preponderance of molten or softened disaggregated material passing through the spreader nozzle attachment. The presence of an unduly large amount of molten fat will, in the absence of special precautions, result in the loss 'of material, render handling generally difficult, and may even thwart the eiiicient production of a uniform sheet of fatty material manifesting suicient flexibilityto render it utilizable for enveloping meat roasts.

In this connection, it is within the' contemplation of the invention to provide any desirable cooling subsequent to the heating treatment, if for any reason the heating treatment is carried to the point of attaining a substanial proportion of molten material; by this cooling expedient, it will be apparent that a control is available to obviate the presence of excessive oils at the point where the fatty material is shaped and emerges from the nozzle. An optimum range of melting is estimated to be between approximately 3% and 25% of the mass of fatty material passing through the spreader attachment. A particularly effective value indicative of the molten fat proportion is considered to be approximately -15%.

It should, however, be borne in mind that the extent ofY melting is susceptible to a substantial latitude of variation, since it is affected by a Wide diversity of conditions similar to those specified hereinbelow in the discussion of optimum temperature conditions. actual molten content does not lend itself to a simple determination, since the optimum conditions of performing the process do not contemplate loss of fat by the draining and flowing away of the melted portion; by contradistinction, the proportion of fat which is uidized is essentiallx7 absorbed or retained by the remainder of the mass; In general, the performance of the process in the production of an optimum product invplves the melting of a minor proportion of disaggregated fat. Within the contemplation of this terminology, the proportion may approach as much as approximately 50% of the total mass. While such a high molten percentage may be excessive for practical operation, without special precautions such as cooling; it is operatively Within the scope of the disclosure. By resort to such special precautions, this proportion may be materially exceeded even to the point of substantially complete melting; however, the sheets resulting from too great an excess of melting Moreover, the

may for normal roasting usage be less satisfactory due to a tendency to iiuidize too rapidly and to a progressive diminution of sheet flexibility with increase in molten proportion of the sheet.

While, in accordance with the apparatus utilized, it is especially advantageous to attain the melting of fatty material circumferentially of the disaggregated mass passing through the attachment, it is not intended to be restricted to this modification.

It will be apparent that, even though the heat be supplied internally of the mass of fatty material, as it moves through the spreader, the fluid content will desirably be distributed therethrough, forming a uniform sheath of molten fatty material at the surface of the mass which solidics as a smooth, fluid-impervious coating. However, the circumferential heating has functioned quite satisfactorily; and it is of interest to note that a sample withdrawn from the heating zone, without forcing it through the spreader, reveals an annular ring of fatty material showing definite evidence of some melting manifested by visible surface melting and by general softening, whereas the internal body of the mass has been substantially unaffected by the heat treatment. Thus the ultimate product or article may comprise a compact core or body portion of ground or disaggregated fatty material in a heterogeneous state, with a smooth, uniform, fluid-impervious coating or sheath of fatty material enveloping the said core or body portion.

In this way, the predetermined proportion and type of fatty material in the desired state of plasticity or fluidity is present in the mass to be extruded in sheet form and distributed therethrough.

Thus a predetermined quantity of fatty material may be rendered molten or plastic in the desired degree by heating, by pressure at appropriate temperature, or by addition of soft fatty material and blended with the mass of material to be extruded in sheet form by appropriately supplying the same during the course of passage of the mass of material through the conveyor, and desirably at a point proximate and just prior to the spreading zone. Moreover, the initial temperature of the stock, as a result of atmospheric conditions or otherwise, in its blended or disaggregated state may be such as to provide the desired degree of coherence or lubricating value in the mass when extruded.

The temperature to which the fatty material is subjected in its passage through the spreader attachment will inevitably be affected by a wide diversity of variable conditions. YAmong these are noted the melting temperature of the particular fat or blend thereof used in the process; the per cent of molten material contemplated; the rate of passage ofsaid fatty material over the heating surface; the distance of the heating surface from the shaping nozzle orifice; the heating surface area; the temperature of the fatty material when brought into contact with the heating means; the heat design characteristics of the spreader-nozzle attachment; etc. It is accordingly apparent that no fixed temperature value can be generally applicable.

The broad adaptability of the invention renders possible substantial variations as tov details of process and apparatus without altering the features thereof. The following is presented merely by way of illustration, utilizing the above described embodiment of Spreader attachment and heating unit and an electrically operated meat cutter device utilizing a 3 inch extruding discI plate. Having passed substantial quantities of beef fat, including fat trimmings, through the coarse extruding disc', the attachment was aixed to the end of the meat grinder, With the extruding disc having the essentially 1A; inch openings in position. Closing the heating element circuit, an elapse of 4 to 5 minutes was permitted in order to attain a preliminary temperature rise at the heating zone prior to passage of disaggregated fat therethrough. Trial tests have indicated that for the above described device, this time interval, in the absence of any cool fat passing through, will provide a temperature of betweenv approximately 150 F; and 190 FL Longer intervals, such as 6 to 7 minutes will provide starting temperatures of between approximately 200 F. and 230 F. which is not considered necessary.

Having attained the desired preliminary heat'- ing, the disaggregated fat, having a temperature of approximately 40 F. to 45 F. was passed through the spreader attachment to form a continuous length of fat sheet of substantially 91/2 inches width and 1/4 inch thickness. Sheets of 24. inch length were cut 'by passing a knife edge into slot when the emerging end of the product reached the table end of the meat board 53. While the specified fat sheet dimensions have been ascertained asv desirable for all normal demands, there is no intent'to be restricted to any specific dimension of sheet product. The rate at which the disaggregated fat was passed through the device varied with the extent of manual tamping of the material at the supply end of the meat grinder device. With average tamping, finished sheets of 24 inch length were obtained in between 17 and 23 seconds, weighing approximately 21A; lbs.

In the illustrative procedure given above, the temperature of the sheet issuing from the nozzle was not materially in excess of the temperature of the disaggregated starting material supplied to the spreader means, tests indicating an incre-asey between approximately 4 F. and approximately 10 F. The increase in temperature is, however, subject to variation dependent upon the initial temperature of the. fatty material, the extent of melting to which the disaggregated fattymaterial is subjected, the time interval. of heating, the temperature of the atmosphere, as well as many other collateral effects obvious. to one. skilled in the art.

While the temperature in the heating zone will rise above that at the commencement of the process, there is no tendency toward excessive melting, as long' as the cold disaggregated fat is being fed through the device. Accordingly, when terminating the procedure for any reason, the heat circuit should be opened to avoid undue fluidization of the .fatty material located in. the heating zone.

A simple alternative method of procedure is to expose the ground. fat or similar material to such heating conditions as will assure melting a substantial portion thereof, and maintaining a material section of the orice end of the shaping nozzle at a temperature v/ell below the soldiica.- tion point of said. fatty material. This essential cooling is obtainable by restoring to any appropriate refrigerating or cooling jacket or encasement means applied to an appropriate; peripheral area of said nozzle. Where the com-plete apparatus combination shown in the drawing .is

mounted within a refrigerator maintained at a 'suiiiciently low temperature, the supplementary cooling means will in acocrdance. with the. circumstances be dispensed with. However, resort to this.- cooling expedient is desirable only where an excessive proportion of fat is melted; under optimum conditions of opera-tion such cooling is definitely unnecessary.

From a general' standpoint, the heating details will be' determined 4with facilityby any skilled person to satisfy the prevailing procedural circumstances, and vfor a given apparatus setup.,

By virtuel of the method and apparatus hereinbefore described,y the disagsregated fatty material is converted into a compact, uniform prod.- uct of predetermined width and thickness, comprising a heterogeneous body or core and a homogeneous sheath surface. It is essentially devoid of fibrous structure, substantially fluid impervious at its surface and susceptible to complete .dissolution pursuant to normal roasting treat,- ment of the meat whichl it. envelops. As the sheet of fatty material issues' from the apparatus, it is preferably encased by transparent cellulosic paper, as cellophane, on one surface thereof and wax paper on the other. Noteworthy is the fact that a meat roast may be enveloped by a sheet of disaggregated fatty material', covered With cellophane and produced as herein several days in. advance of contemplated sale without evidences of a murky brown coloration on thev inner surface of the. cellophane which is attributable to meat. fluids seeping through a pervious fat sheet. This is a` matter of material significance in View of the conceded effect of appearance on salability of. the roast.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention is .directed to the treatment of disaggregated fatty material to form a sheet which constitutes a material improvement over prior art products, distinct advantages. are attainable in the treatment of fatty materials, in accordance with the present disclosure, which has not been disaggregated as described herein. Thusby subjecting to a heat treatment pursuant to the present method a` natural fatty material aggregate per se, or one which has been treated to. rupture its structure, but is not ground or disaggregated as by passing the fatty material through a meat grinder provided' with its normal cutting and extruding. means,` the formation of molten material .during the passage of the fat through the spreaderl attachment will likewise function` to improve: the, cohering. characteristics of thev materiali, lubricate its movement through the apparatus, and render the sheet formed. essentially fluid impervious.

The expression fatty material as utilized in the present application is intendedy to embrace any substance which isv adapted to envelop meat and function to facilitate the roasting thereof. It particularly includes the well-known fats of animal origin illustrated by tallow, cod fat, suet aswell as blends or admixtures of such fatty materials. It is not essential that the` material be exclusively of a fatty nature to fall Within the scope of; the expression. It is within the contemplation of the indicated terminology to include any suitable material which preponderantly of a fatty nature; thus a sheet may, for example, contain. a substantial proportion of ground. meat, provided fatty material-is present in preponderant quantity- By way of further modieation within the con;-

templation of the disclosure, the procedure described herein lends itself to the preparation of meat products embracing a substantial proportion of fat at least in sufcient quantity to enable the formation of a fluid impervious coating. Thus a` blended meat product may be obtained bydisaggregating a mixture of meat and fatty material, the proportion of the latter being at least sufficient to provide a fluid impervious coating for the meat. Desirably the quantity of fatty material in the blended mixture should be sufcient for any subsequent cooking treatment contemplated. The disaggregated mixture is subjected to heating, as hereinabove described, in order to melt a sufficient quantity of the fatty material to afford on cooling a protective and fluid impervious function. Subsequently to the heat treatment, the mixture will preferably be manipulated in any predetermined manner, either as herein described or according to prior art practices for converting the same to any desirable shape or form. In this manner, meat shapes or patties can be prepared which are susceptible to retention for substantial intervals of time without the usual spoilage, tainting or discoloration occurring as a result of normal exposure to the atmosphere.

In accordance with the foregoing description, it is apparent that the apparatus embodies novel means whichmay be effectively utilized in the performance of an expeditious method to attain a new product.

While I have described my invention in accordance with preferred embodiments, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and procedure, as well as in the combination and arrangement of parts or steps without departing from the spirit of invention as defined in the following claims.

Having thus set forth my invention, I claim: l. An apparatus combination for preparing a sheet of fatty material comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a screw conveyor and means for disaggregating fatty material coordinated therewith within said housing, said conveyor being adapted for the expression of disaggregated material from said housing, conduit means attached to the outlet of said housing, said conduit means including means for compacting and spreading disaggregated fatty material, said compacting and spreading means diverging to an enlarged width relative to the said housing outlet, said compacting and spreading means having an extruding orice at the outlet end thereof, and means for heating said conduit means coordinated in heat exchange relationship therewith.

2. The combination as in claim 1, wherein the disaggregating means comprises a plurality of cutting knives positioned in series relative to each other, and a perforated extruding plate adjacent to and associated with each of said cutting knives, the diameter of the openings of the successive plates diminishing, the rst plate having the larger openings, and a respective screw conveyor coordinated with each cutting knife.

3. An apparatus combination for preparing a sheet of fatty material comprising a housing` having an inlet and an outlet, a screw conveyor and means for disaggregating fatty material coordinated therewith within said housing, said conveyor' being adapted for the expression of disaggregated material from said housing, conduit means attached to the outlet of said housing,

said conduit means including means for compacting and spreading disaggregated fatty material, said compacting and spreading means diverging to an enlarged width relative to the said housing outlet, said compacting and spreading means having an extruding orifice at the outlet end thereof, means for heating said conduit means coordinated in heat exchange relationship therewith, and means adapted for applying a surface pressure to material issuing from said extruding orifice, said latter means being mounted above and contiguous the upper edge of said orifice.

4. An apparatus combination for preparing a sheet of fatty material comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a screw conveyor and means for disaggregating fatty material coordinated therewith within said housing, said conveyor being adapted for the expression of disaggregated material from said housing, said disaggregating means including at least one cutting knife and a perforated extruding plate adjacent each said cutting knife, a conduit attached to the outlet of said housing, means for heating said conduit coordinated in heat exchange relationship therewith, means for compacting and spreading the disaggregated heated material, said compacting and spreading means being connected with the outlet of said conduit and diverging to an enlarged Iwidth relative to the said conduit outlet, and an extruding nozzle coordinated with the outlet of said compacting and spreading means.

5. An apparatus combination for preparing a f sheet of fatty material comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a screw conveyor and means for disaggregating fatty material coordinated therewith within said housing, said conveyor being adapted for the expression of disaggregated material from said housing, said disaggregating means including at least one cutting knife and a perforated extruding plate adjacent each said cutting knife, a conduit attached to the outlet of said housing, means for heating said conduit coordinated in heat exchange relationship therewith, means for compacting and spreading the disaggregated heated material, said compacting and spreading means being connected with the outlet of said conduit and diverging to an enlarged width relative to the said conduit outlet, an extruding nozzle coordinated with the outlet of said compacting and spreading means, and roller means mounted above and contiguous the upper edge of said extruding nozzle adapted for applying surface pressure to material issuing from said nozzle.

6. The combination as in claim 5, including an inclined surface having its upper portion positioned below and adjacent the nozzle orifice, and coordinated means for simultaneously supplying a covering material to both surfaces of the emerging sheet of fatty material as it passes from the nozzle orice and over said inclined surface. said supply of covering material being actuated by the movement of the fatty sheet.

7. The combination as in claim 6, wherein the covering material for the upper surface is supplied to the emerging fatty sheet between the lower peripheral surface of the roller and the upper edge of the nozzle orifice, and the covering material for the lower surface of the fatty sheet is supplied to the inclined surface.

8. The combination as in claim, wherein the disaggregating means comprises a plurality of cutting knives positioned in series relative to each other, and a perforated extruding plate adjacent -to and associated with each of said cutting knives, the diameter of the openings of the successive plates diminishing, the first plate having the larger openings, and a respective screw conveyor coordinated with each cutting knife.

9. An apparatus combination for preparing a sheet of fatty material comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a screw conveyor, and means for disaggregating fatty material coordinated therewith within said housing, said conveyor being adapted for the expression of disaggregated material from said housing, a conduit attached to the outlet of said housing, means for heating said conduit coordinated in heat exchange relationship therewith, means for compacting and spreading disaggregated fatty material, said compacting and spreading'means being connected with the outlet of said conduit and diverging to an enlarged width relative to the said conduit outlet.

10. The combination as in claim 3, including an inclined plane surface having its upper portion positioned below and adjacent the extruding orice, and means for simultaneously supplying a covering material to both surfaces of the emerging sheet of material as it passes from the extruding orifice and over the said inclined plane surface, wherein the covering material for the upper surface is supplied to the emerging sheet below the lower peripheral surface of the means adapted for applying a surface pressure to the material issuing from the extruding orifice, and the covering material for the lower surface of the emerging sheet is supplied to the said inclined plane surface, the supply of covering material to both said surfaces being actuated by the movement of the said sheet along the said inclined plane surface.

11. The combination as in claim 1, including an inclined plane surface having its upper portion positioned below and adjacent the extruding orice, and coordinated means for simultaneously supplying a covering material to both surfaces of the emerging sheet of fatty material as it passes from the extruding orifice and over said inclined surface, said supply of covering material being actuated by the movement of the fatty sheet.

MARTIN LOUIS BALZARINI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 452,466 Day May 19, 1891 800,452 Kohn Sept. 26, 1905 1,125,445 Beadle Jan. 19, 1915 1,361,346 Nichols Dec. 7, 1920 1,867,523 Omurei July 12, 1932 1,932,821 Henkel Oct. 31, 1933 1,952,038 Fischer Mar. 20, 1934 1,980,119 Wait Nov. 6, 1934 2,013,025 Bottoms et al Sept. 3, 1935 2,105,211 Bessonette June 11, 1938 2,142,505 Gammeter Jan. 3, 1939 2,226,442 Rumsey Dec. 24, 1940 2,284,722 Burns June 2, 1942 2,377,069 Brubaker May 29, 1945 2,386,775 Balzarni Oct. 16, 1945 2,395,531 Bemis Feb. 26, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 218,836 Germany Feb. 11, 1910 758,981 France Nov. 17, 1933 

